Agenda item

The Leader of the Council to submit a report seeking the approval of Cabinet to commence the public consultation on the draft Developer Contributions Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).

Cabinet:

1)    APPROVED the Draft Developer Contributions Supplementary Planning Document for the purposes of consultation, having particular regard to the infrastructure priority list;

2)    AUTHORISED a 6-week period for public consultation

Edd de Coverly, Chief Executive of the Council introduced the report, the purpose of which was to seek the approval of Cabinet to commence the public consultation on the draft Developer Contributions Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).

Mr. de Coverly highlighted that securing the Melton Mowbray distributor road was one of the Council’s key Corporate Strategy priorities.  Leicestershire County Council's (LCC) Cabinet had signalled its intention to accept the housing infrastructure fund grant for the southern leg of the road, subject to a number of conditions being met and this Council had supported LCC to ensure this could be achieved and the financial risks mitigated.  The Developer Contributions SPD before Members represented a formal demonstration of that commitment and the first step towards meeting one of those conditions.  Subject to Cabinet consideration, statutory consultation would commence on the SPD, with a view to submitting it again to Cabinet and then Council for adoption in September.

Mr. de Coverly advised that alongside the SPD, the Council were working to adopt new and refreshed master plans for the north and south neighbourhoods. The Council was seeking to establish an agreement with LCC on underwriting any shortfall arising from developer contributions on matters within our control and up to a cap of £1.75m (previously £1m).  These items would be considered as part of separate reports to Cabinet and Council and by the end of 2021.

Jim Worley, Assistant Director for Planning and Delivery highlighted that an SPD must build upon local plan policy (it could not be new policy in its own right).  The Developer Contributions SPD was built on the policies in the local plan, which related to key infrastructure to allow growth.  The table at paragraph 5.8 of the report set out the Council’s priorities (key infrastructure of highways and schools, strategic priorities, local priorities).  The local priorities had been identified by ward members, working with local communities.

The Leader reiterated the importance of this work and confirmed the consultation period (26 July to 8 September).

During discussion the following points were noted:

·         Members were pleases with the progress to date, noting that key infrastructure, highways and education were vital to Melton’s growth.

·         The commitment for a second surgery in Melton was welcomed.

·         Members were pleased to note the local priorities, which had been identified by communities.  This demonstrated effective consultation and engagement.

Cabinet:

1)    APPROVED the Draft Developer Contributions Supplementary Planning Document for the purposes of consultation, having particular regard to the infrastructure priority list;

2)    AUTHORISED a 6-week period for public consultation

Reason for the decision

The Draft SPD has been formulated by working with Members and the County Council to support infrastructure priorities in the Borough. Prior to the adoption of an SPD, it is necessary to carry out a public consultation of no less than 4 weeks, and no longer than 6 weeks (Town and Country Planning, (Local Development Regulations) (England) 2004). It is expected that, subject to the consultation, the document would be presented to Council for formal adoption in September 2021.

Given the importance of the document, and the hierarchy it creates to support prioritisation of contributions for strategic infrastructure, it is considered necessary to ensure that the Cabinet approve the draft document prior to the commencement of public consultation.

The prioritisation approach illustrated within this report and the SPD, builds upon the Cabinet decision made in November 2020. Whilst the starting point for the Council will be that all developers should meet all relevant infrastructure requirements in full, this approach to infrastructure priorities provides clarity to all parties if it becomes necessary and justified to negotiate the content of a section 106 agreement due to issues surrounding viability. Each planning application will continue to be assessed on a case-by-case basis according to the merits of the development and the CIL regulations.